Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in London

Tucked down a quaint cobblestone side street just off busy Whitehall, the Walkers of Whitehall is a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of London life. When you walk in you can be forgiven for wondering whether this plush and comfortable venue is a pub or a restaurant. Thankfully it turns out to be both. The menu is predominantly British, but there is a smattering of flashy continental numbers. The atmosphere is relaxed, though when the local office workers invade around 6p, the bar becomes a little more lively.

Few establishments are as impressive as the Rockwell. Located inside the Trafalgar Hotel, it boasts a trendy bar and a sophisticated restaurant, both oh which are considered happening hot spots. The bar was London's first Bourbon Bar, with over 100 bourbons featured on the menu. It is also known for its fabulous cocktails, and was voted 'Best Bar 2002' by the Evening Standard and Time Out magazine. The recently-opened restaurant is also gaining popularity - try the Oysters with Mango-Chilli Viniagrette, or the Meatballs with Duck Bolognese Sauce. The high-profile venue that it is, Rockwell has been the venue for various fashion shows and celebrity parties. And if you want to get romantic, the Roof Garden offers a breathtaking view of Trafalgar Square. It's the ideal place for champagne, fine dining, and intimate conversations.

Established in 1898, Old Shades is a charming pub located near the Trafalgar Square. This pub entices you with an extensive list of beverages. Here, you can choose from over 30 beer and ale varieties along with a variety of wines and spirits. In case you feel hungry, you can devour the traditional British flavors that this pub is famous for. The warmly-lit pub has cozy seating and an old charm that is ideal for spending a relaxed evening.

Boyd's Brasserie Bar and Lounge is a trendy modern restaurant that looks like it's been built in a palace. With impressive and regal surroundings in the form of elaborate marble-work, high chandeliers, expensive looking furniture and the likes, this restaurant attracts an equally classy crowd. The food consists of mainly British and modern European style dishes that can be ordered from a fixed menu, or off the cart. They also have a great drinks menu that consists of cocktails and wines. This restaurant is ideal for a special occasion.

Housed within the National Gallery, The National Cafe carries with it the same elegant charm that is a mainstay of this distinct gallery. With an all-day dining menu, the restaurant offers classic European cuisine with contemporary flair. Familiar dishes like eggs Benedict, French toast, sandwiches,salads and puddings dominate the menu. Noteworthy among all is a dessert selection that is packed with drool-worthy offerings. Although the cafe can be a little noisy, there's a private dining room that is ideal for small functions.

This Oilver Peyton restaurant is set in the famous National Gallery and overlooks Trafalgar Square. The National Dining Rooms offers the best of regionally-inspired British cuisine with a menu that changes often. The meats are cured in-house and the ingredients are procured from local independent businesses; the result is a fabulous array of wonderful dishes that are fresh and flavorsome. Stop by for Afternoon Tea to feast on a myriad of sandwiches, cakes and scones along with tea or champagne. Whether you visit for a leisurely meal or a cup of coffee with cake, you are sure to leave the National Dining Rooms with a satisfied smile on your face.